Lodi Middle School student arrested for allegedly assaulting teacher

LODI - A Lodi Middle School student was arrested on campus last week after allegedly assaulting a teacher.

Keith Reid

LODI - A Lodi Middle School student was arrested on campus last week after allegedly assaulting a teacher.

Lodi police said the 14-year-old student had been scolded for misbehaving by teacher Jon Lapachet, 60, at an assembly last Tuesday, then got up and punched him several times.

"He was scolded for not paying attention, and he became upset," said Lt. Sierra Brucia, a Police Department spokesman. "It doesn't appear to have been a provoked attack. There was no physical force used by (Lapachet), according to witness statements."

Brucia called the assault a "relatively minor crime." Charges against the teen include assault, and he also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was booked into San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall, Brucia said.

Lapachet did not immediately return a phone call Monday seeking comment. Lodi Unified Associate Superintendent Tim Hern said he did not have any information on the incident Monday, calling it a personnel and student discipline matter.

Lapachet is the same teacher who was placed under citizen's arrest by former Vice Principal Lurdes Rosales in December 2011.

Rosales alleged that Lapachet was abrasive toward her during a physical education class and physically bumped her.

The charges against Lapachet were later dropped by the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office. Rosales resigned her position but has been reinstated to work in Lodi Unified, her attorney Israel Ramirez said. Rosales filed a civil suit against Lodi Unified, which is still being adjudicated, her attorney said.